SACRAMENTO, Calif.October 23, 2023 – Extreme weather events in California in 2023 highlight the need for more awareness of flood risks in California and now is the time for all Californians to prepare for possible flooding. That was the message from state and federal agencies gathered today to show how they are joining forces to […]
California Department of Water Resources
Pyramid Lake Algal Bloom at Danger Advisory
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) urged people to avoid physical contact with water at Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County until further notice due to the presence of blue-green algae. Vaquero Swim Beach is closed, and Emigrant Landing Beach has a caution algal bloom advisory. People should also avoid eating […]
DWR May 1 Snow Survey Collects Data on Spring Runoff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the fifth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 59 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 30 inches, which is 241 percent of average for this location on May 1. The snow water equivalent measures the […]
California’s Snowpack is Now One of the Largest Ever, Bringing Drought Relief, Flooding Concerns
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the fourth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 126.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 54 inches, which is 221 percent of average for this location on April 3. The snow water equivalent measures […]
Harnessing Series of Winter Storms, California Increases State Water Project Allocation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced a significant boost in the forecasted State Water Project (SWP) deliveries this year due to continued winter storms in March and a massive Sierra snowpack. DWR now expects to deliver 75 percent of requested water supplies, up from 35 percent announced in February. The increase translates […]
DWR to Increase Outflows from Lake Oroville
Since Dec. 1 Lake Oroville’s storage has increased approximately 178 feet and gained 1.66 million acre-feet of water. While the Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to monitor lake levels, DWR is also very closely monitoring weather forecasts and mountain snow levels. With ongoing wet weather and in anticipation of increased runoff inflows into the […]
Second DWR Snow Survey Reflects Boost from Atmospheric Rivers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 85.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 33.5 inches, which is 193 percent of average for this location on February 1. The snow water equivalent measures […]
Snow Survey Shows December Storms Provided Big Snow Totals with More Systems, Flooding in Forecast
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 55.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 17.5 inches, which is 177 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water […]
California Water Agencies Collaborate on Groundwater Digital Platform to Help Address Dry Wells and Water Supply Shortages
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California continues to respond and adapt to ongoing extreme drought conditions, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) along with state, federal and non-governmental organization partners are advancing development of a tool for groundwater agencies to help with efforts to prevent dry wells and water supply shortages. The innovative Groundwater Accounting Platform is a robust state-supported data […]
DWR Awards $86 Million to Build Water Resilience for Millions of Californians
SACRAMENTO, Calif. November 30, 2022 – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) yesterday awarded $86 million in financial assistance to meet the immediate and long-term water needs for millions of Californians in local communities small and large. As California experiences a climate transformation bringing hotter and drier conditions, small communities are extremely vulnerable and long-term […]
DWR: New Water Year Begins Amid Preparations for Continued Drought
SACRAMENTO, Calif. October 3, 2022 – Conserving water has become a way of life in California, especially as projections forecast warmer, drier conditions. The State’s new water year has begun and with it comes fresh concerns about a fourth year of extreme drought for the state. California’s water year runs from October 1 to September […]
Generators in Roseville and Yuba City Providing up to 120 Megawatts to Grid During Extreme Heat Emergency
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – This evening, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) requested the activation of temporary emergency power generators deployed by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in Roseville and Yuba City. In total, the four generators can provide up to 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the statewide power grid during extreme heat events like […]
Pollution from sediment in Lake Tahoe was reduced by 600,000 pounds in 2021, according to joint NV-CA report
LAKE TAHOE, NV/CA – Efforts to reduce pollution and restore Lake Tahoe’s world-famous water clarity remain on track, despite impacts from climate change and other factors, according to a bi-state report released today by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, part of the California Environmental Protection […]
DWR to Use Innovative Airborne Technology to Map State’s Groundwater Basins
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is using an innovative, helicopter-based technology to gather information about the state’s groundwater aquifer structure to support drought response and the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). DWR’s use of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys advances Governor Newsom’s Water Resilience Portfolio goal of using technology […]
Survey Finds Little Snow as Statewide Snowpack Drops to 38 Percent Following Record Dry Months
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the fourth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. Following three straight months of record dry conditions, the manual survey recorded just 2.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of one inch, which is four percent of average for this […]
Dry January Conditions Return Snowpack to Near Average Levels
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. Following a dry January, the manual survey recorded 48.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 19 inches, which is 109 percent of average for this location for this date. The snow water […]
Hyatt Powerplant at Oroville Dam Resumes Operation
OROVILLE, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced hydropower generation has resumed at the Hyatt Powerplant at Oroville Dam in Butte County. The powerplant was taken offline August 5 due to historic low lake levels driven by the state’s ongoing severe drought conditions. Recent storms have boosted lake levels and provided colder […]
DWR: Early Winter Storms Provide Much-Needed Sierra Snowpack
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. Early winter storms this month provided a strong start to the season and some drought relief, but California remains in a drought. Today’s manual survey recorded 78.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of […]
DWR Announces Initial State Water Project Allocation, Additional Actions to Prepare for Third Dry Year
SACRAMENTO, Calif. –Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced its initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation for 2022 along with several steps to manage the state’s water supply in anticipation of a third dry year with reservoirs at or near historic lows. Given the unprecedented drought conditions, the SWP’s initial allocation for December […]
Temporary Power Generators Now Online to Support California’s Electricity Grid
Four temporary mobile emergency power generating units totaling 120 megawatts (MW) deployed by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) are online and ready to support California’s energy grid in times of extreme stress on the grid. Two units each have been temporarily installed at two sites in Northern California: Greenleaf Unit 1, operated by Calpine […]